Finance Guru

Spending money is always fun. We've always been lucky with money since I married Merv. When it seems we  would never get ahead we would end up with an unexpected windfall.  Even Merv's employer once had too much money (really?) and every employee received a lump sum of over $3,000.  I think we received that twice.  My father's brother passed away and his estate was divided between his siblings.  My father had already passed away and his share was divided between us children.  I bought my first computer with the money.
This year we sold our house for more than I expected and bought a house a week later for a lesser price than advertised.
After settlement there appeared a great amount of money in my bank account.  "Oh spending money", I cried.  Admittedly I was not frugal enough and spent money on all sorts of things but nothing I would call wasteful.  A facial was probably the most extravagant thing I had, but the pleasure of having it outweighed the cost. I haven't bought new clothes, well just one pair of practical shoes for $34!  They were on sale.
Already I had to put a stop to endless supermarket shopping.  A bottle of milk turned into a $70 shop almost everyday.  Mel and I sat down and worked out a menu and a shopping list which helped reduce the excessive spending.
The house was a bargain but it only had one blind which was worth keeping. All the other windows needed new verticals, blinds and panel blinds.  All done.  Oh and there's a 'but'.  When I sat in the tiny lounge room with those fabulous new vertical blinds I realised the chunky lounge suite would have to go.  Wrong colour, too chunky and over twenty years old.  On the verge for council pick up it went.  Now new furniture is needed.  A rug for the lounge is also on the list.
Just days ago I found the perfect recliners (which rock!) compact size and the perfect colour!  We bought two, one for Mel and one for me.  Merv has his lift recliner chair, which is great for his needs.
We had no security but now we have Crim Safe on all the windows and doors.  The main living area was dark all day and we had a skylight installed.  Merv's ensuite bathroom needed gutting and redoing.  It is now a fabulous walk in bathroom. This coming week the team is coming back to renovate the second bathroom and tile the toilet and laundry floors.  Eddie the renovator suggested I upgrade the laundry and extend the floor tiles.  Hmmm more decisions.  Much more money. The list is endless. 
Only last week my brother in law Steve paved part of the front garden for better access for Merv's wheelchair.  It looks fabulous. 
I looked at my bank balance yesterday and wrote a list of the foreseeable future renovations and additions.  Then I checked the balance again! After settlement I had taken a large chunk of money and placed it in another bank account which generates a better interest rate.  That's great I thought.  Now I'm working out how much of that money is safe to use.  I could of course just stick most of it in a term deposit where my eager fingers would be unable to access it!  Sounds like a very good idea.
Most renovating ideas blow the budget and I suppose I'm not surprised mine has as well. 
Mel and I have decided to make a sandwich or a slice of quiche for a picnic at the foreshore instead of eating at cafes, which we have been doing once a week, twice at a stretch.  Another very good idea for keeping the money safely in the bank!
Now it is up to me to be a smarter person making our savings work for us while having the benefits of a lovely home. 

Fabulous new paving for wheelchair access

Compact Recliner Rocker for lounge bought 2!

Cleaning windows ready for Crim Safe screens

The Big Move

Here I am.  Almost two months since I last blogged.  I have thought about hitting the keyboard many times but alas time and energy escaped me.  Only days ago I dragged my computer and its many components out of a big cardboard box where it had been unceremoniously placed on Friday 17th March, the day of the big move. 
My family and friends are tired of me saying, "I sold my house in five minutes and five minutes later I bought this house."  It's not entirely true; the time elapse is slightly longer but it seems it happened that way.  Sold and bought.  Simple.  Done.  No one is more surprised than me.  I am very grateful to the powers that be.  I know the good Lord above is looking out for me. 
The timing couldn't have been better as I see Merv's health declining so rapidly.  He went into respite before the move and stayed there for over a week afterwards. 
I was terrified to have him home.  I was so scared of him falling and me of failing.  In hindsight he has not fallen though there have been many near misses.  He can not walk without a person guiding him while holding his arm and a hand placed firmly around his waist. 
Everyday he stays on his feet is a day well done.
Moving house is the time you find out who you can count on.  To say it was overwhelming is an understatement.  Firstly I had to get it through my thick head that my house had really sold and packing and leaving my house was definite! 
My two sisters were amazing.  They packed for me, provided me with boxes, tape and texta colours.  They brought food and talked me through the packing process.  Maureen provided support and labour (and children) for our garden makeover, rubbish skip, cleaning for the Home Open and so much more. Susan packed my kitchen.  I didn't know where to begin but it appeared she had it all done in five minutes, at least it seemed that way.
In the last week Susan stayed for a whole day packing and cleaning and sorting.  Two good friends offered their help and though I had no idea what they could do I took up their offers.  I was hoping they would like to go out for coffee but they planted their feet, grabbed boxes and we filled them together.
Six days before we moved we invited friends and family to our Farewell Party.  It was an open day where people could come whenever they had time.  It was quiet in the morning with a few people stopping by but in the afternoon people filled every part of the living areas and spilled outside onto the patio.  Not only did we catch up, they caught up with mutual friends and agreed we should all do it again. A friend later asked if the Farewell had been a good idea.  I replied it was an amazing experience catching up with people, some we hadn't seen for years.  No packing happened that day and in many ways it was good to have a break.
I remember many bedtimes I would think, 'this time next month I'll be sleeping in the new house.'  It always seemed so far away and then it was upon us.  Time waits for no one.
I still wake up each morning hardly believing we sold and bought so quickly.  Selling at an inflated cost and buying at a bargain price.  This house is so very different from our last but it ticks the boxes and provides a fabulous recreational area for Mel. 
We have been truly blessed.  We walk 16 minutes to the ocean and 5 minutes the opposite direction to the estuary.
There is much to do in this house of ours.  It is slowly becoming a home.  Maureen and Steve have provided many hours of labour in the garden and house.  Steve's brother Larry has amazing patience and never flinched once while putting together the IKEA sofa bed and TV stand.
There is much to tell and write about but just one story at a time.

Farewell Party - Some of our friends

Friday 17th March - the big move

16 minute walk from our house to the ocean

Mel exercising at the beach with her cousin

New house, new furniture

Merv enjoying fish and chips at the beach

Oh no, IKEA flat packs!